1963-06-21 - Preparations for Paperclip
Summary: Sousa tries to get Howard to help with Preparations to receive the German scientists
Related: http://marvel1963mush.wikidot.com/log:1963-06-20-protesting-paperclip
Theme Song: None
sousa howard 


While he doesn't often use his relationship with the Director of SHIELD to get certain things, this time he's using it to gain access to her office for this particular meeting. There are folders on her desk, the folders from the recent after-hours meeting, and Sousa is in her chair, looking through some of the files.

He's not trying to be stealthy…he's quite blatant about it.

He actually sent for Howard, but had no idea if, or when, the man would show up. Both his and Peggy's secretaries were asked to point him to this office if they saw him.

*

"Really should learn not to peek at someone else's Christmas presents Sousa." A voice calls out belonging to none other then Howard Stark as he leans his back up against the wall of the office. His eyes locked down on Sousa. "Spoils the whole spirit of the holiday." As a refreshingly smooth and one of a kind tasting Chesterfield cigarette. The premium filtered cigarette for the discerning man, and working man alike. That taste sensation that's leaving people the world over hooked on that sweet sweet stress relief.

After pulling the Chesterfield from its case Howard places the iconic filtered cigarette into the corner of his mouth. A quick motion made to light the end with a perfect glow coming off from the end of the new flavored Chesterfield, available at local retailers near you! "Might give someone the idea you're a bit of a scrooge."

*

"I only wish I was peeking at presents, Stark," Sousa offers and gestures for the man to take a seat. "Peggy's making preparations to go to Geneva. I've been tasked with briefing you," and he knows why, "since this is going to largely affect your division." He closes the folder he was looking at and pushes the stack over for the other to take a gander. "Recognize any of these names?"

On the side of each folder are typed the names: Wernher von Braun. Heinz-Hermann Koelle. Arnim Zola. Fritz K. Mueller. Georg von Tiesenhausen.'

*

"Rocket Scientist, aeronautical engineer, psycopathic Red Skull lackey who wanted to shove the human brain into a computer, another aeronautics expert, owes me five thousand reichmarks." Howard lists off quietly puffing away at his chesterfield. The smoke rolls up into the air from the orange glowing end of the soothing cure for water on the lungs. "Worked with all of them on a few projects. Memory serves they were all a part of paperclip." He doesn't even need to actually open the files to know who they are just a quick glance at the names. "Though I'll tell you Mueller was an excellent cook when he put his mind to it. Bit screwy though."

*

"All of them also worked for the Nazis. Not just Zola. They still are part of Paperclip. Thing is, so are we now." Sousa nods at the folders, "Meet 5 of your new R&D scientists. You'll get your chance to collect on that five grand. How's that for a little early Christmas present?" Only he's not smiling nor does he seem at all amused at the situation.

"Peggy's off to Geneva to try to fight this one last time, but they've been granted a pardon and asylum to the States and we're supposed to keep them in our employ. We're already planning on babysitting them as much as possible, but they're ultimately going to be in your division. Surely you can help us with ways to keep an eye on them."

*

Howard pushes himself up off of the wall. A long drag taken from his cigarette as he looks over the folders before looking back towards Sousa. "So, no staging lab accidents then?" He walks over towards the table hands down inside of the pockets of his brown jacket. A low frown on his face as he slowly puffs smoke out from the corner of his mouth. "and I'm not letting Mueller into the office before he pays me back for that car."

"If there were, I don't think anyone would weep," Sousa points out as he looks up at Howard. "But -if- there are, we're going to be massively investigated. So it had better be foolproof." Is he serious? "We're going to be acquiring housing for them…I don't think it would be amiss if there was surveillance all over the place there. We're also going to be providing them with lab space, but I don't want them conspiring. We'll need surveillance there. Babysitting can only go so far and I'm concerned that the men we put on the job could be the first in line if they decide they don't like their new jobs."

*

"Sousa, so long as I don't find these men huddled around a Red Skull effigy chanting Hail hydra I'm not going to go around killing them." A slow pause as he flicks through the folders another long drag from his chesterfield. That smooth taste keeping him calm through even this rather stressful situation. "I'll make sure they get a few watchdogs on them round the clock, but if there's one thing I don't want it's to turn our offices, or their homes, into a new set of internment camps."

*

Howard pulls his Cigarette from the corner of his mouth setting it down into the ashtray for just a moment to knock off some of the ash. "Like it or not when that goes through we'll be stuck with them, might as well make the most of it." He lets out a light sigh before pulling out that same iconic packaging that's made Chesterfield a leading brand for years. "Have a Chesterfield on me, I can see this getting to you, and don't need you turning sour just because we have to work with a few krauts."

*

Sousa looks up at Stark, again, seemingly completely serious, "No, I know you won't." He then sits back in the Director's chair to observe the other, "So you're all right with former Nazi scientists who experimented on live subjects and helped kill millions running around free and breezy in New York? With access to our files and tech? With access to our labs and resources?" He seems to be calm. Oddly calm.

"These men should be, at the very least, incarcerated for the rest of their lives, not freed after twenty years just because they happen to be smart. It doesn't guarantee that they'll actually be grateful. That they'll work for an organization that employs the very people they tried to eradicate. Hell, Stark, neither you nor I fit their Aryan ideal and SHIELD is run by a woman." The cigarette is waved away, "I have nothing against Germans. I have everything against Nazis."

*

"Even SHIELD doesn't have aces to everything." Howard offers tossing the Chesterfield right back into the pocket of his jacket looking across the table. "Not a fan of this any more then you, just know we need the edge against Russia if we've got any hope of taking the iron curtain down." His attention drifting somewhat a calm and businesslike exterior. "We don't have a say in the matter, of course I could personally just leave and go back to my own research but what's that solve?"

*

Sousa is quiet for another long moment before he just gives a sigh. "Consider yourself warned, Stark. These men -will- have watchdogs on them and they -will- have surveillance in their homes and in the labs where they'll be working. Whether or not you help us with that is moot, but it would be appreciated." He stands then, but doesn't move from behind the desk yet. "I get that your focus is forward. It probably should be. But I don't trust these men further than I can through this building. How you choose to view them is up to you."

*

Howard looks down towards his watch for a moment before starting to make his way back towards the door. "Ours is not to reason why ours is but to do and die" He takes another long drag from his cigarette. "I'll take care of the camera setup, but if I catch one agent trying to put a camera in my personal lab, we'll have a problem"

*

"So don't bring these guys into your personal lab, Stark. Easy as that. Although if you do and you notice something amiss, -anything-, we need to know asap." Sousa offers with a weary smile. It's been a long night and they're going to be even longer days ahead. "I'd rather not use Custer and his men as role models. Good poem though. Sounds about right for this situation." A hand reaches up to scrub at his face, "On top of all this, it's going to still be business as usual. I haven't forgotten about the Avengers. You talk to anyone else about it?"

*

"Now isn't the exact time to discuss that." Howard comments finally putting out that Chesterfield cigarette of his with his own voice still rather business minded. "but I've brought on an agent to help with the search comity. He'll be providing the both of us ample reports on his findings. For the moment I'll only refer to him as Agent F."

*

Sousa nods, "Good enough. We'll discuss it later." He agrees that it isn't the best time. "I'll let you know more about these scientists when I get more information. Arrivals and the like. I just wanted you to have a head's up." He figured it was better than just dumping them on Stark with no warning at all.

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